Toilet fill valve with valve lock

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are various embodiments of a lockable toilet fill valve and methods according to the present invention. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a float/arm assembly. The toilet fill valve is closed when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a first position. The toilet fill valve being open when the float/arm assembly is disposed in a second position. A shuttle switch is associated with the float/arm assembly. The shuttle switch includes an unlock position and a lock position, wherein the shuttle switch fixes the float/arm assembly in the first position when the shuttle switch is in the lock position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to,co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “TOILET FILL VALVE WITHVALVE LOCK” filed on Aug. 31, 2016 and assigned application Ser. No.15/252,396, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.Pat. No. 9,447,568 issued on Sep. 20, 2016 entitled “TOILET FILL VALVEWITH VALVE LOCK” filed on Aug. 4, 2014 and assigned application Ser. No.14/450,782, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.Pat. No. 8,813,775 issued on Aug. 26, 2014 entitled “TOILET FILL VALVEWITH VALVE LOCK” filed on Nov. 14, 2012 and assigned application number13/676,229, which is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S.Pat. No. 8,333,215 issued Dec. 18, 2012 entitled “TOILET FILL VALVE WITHVALVE LOCK” filed on Sep. 3, 2010 and assigned application Ser. No.12/875,199, which is a division of, and claims priority to, U.S. Pat.No. 7,926,511 issued on Apr. 19, 2011 entitled “TOILET FILL VALVE WITHVALVE LOCK” filed on Apr. 20, 2007 and assigned application Ser. No.11/738,029, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applicationentitled “TOILET FILL VALVE WITH VALVE LOCK” filed on Apr. 21, 2006 andassigned application number 60/745,293, each of these applications beingincorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

From time to time, the components within a toilet tank may needadjustment or replacement. For example, various components within atoilet tank such as a flapper, handle chain/linkage or other componentsmay leak or malfunction in some other manner. In many situations, a leakmay result in a significant waste of water. In order to replace or fixsuch components, an individual may have to drain the toilet tank itselfto work on the normally submerged components. However, the moment thatthe water level drops in a typical toilet tank, a fill valve is openedand water flows into the tank in order to refill the tank for the nextflush. Consequently, to stop the flow of water into the tank, anindividual typically locates a shut-off valve that is outside the toilettank near where the water supply is supplied into the tank.

However, in the typical case, such a shut-off valve may not have beenoperated for years. In many situations, this means that shut-off valvesoften fail to work. Thus, to shut off the flow of water to the toilettank in order to perform the desired maintenance, the individual oftenlocates the main water shut-off valve in the entire dwelling or otherbuilding to shut the water off at such a point. Once the water has beenshut off, then maintenance can be performed within the toilet tank afterwater is drained as no further water will flow back into the tank. Aftermalfunctioning or old components have been maintained or replaced in thetoilet tank, then the individual can manipulate the main water shut-offvalve in the dwelling or other building to reestablish water pressure inthe dwelling or other building.

Since the toilet tank is empty when the water is turned back on, atypical fill valve in the toilet is in an open state. Consequently, thefirst component within the dwelling or building that typically calls forwater after the water pressure is reestablished is the fill valve withinthe empty toilet tank. When the water pressure was shut off within thedwelling or other building, the pressure may drop from 50 psi to 0 psi.When the pressure is reestablished by turning on the main valve, thenthe pressure goes back from 0 psi to 50 psi. These abrupt changes in thepressure within the piping system of a dwelling or other buildingtypically disturb sediment and rust that have accumulated inside thewalls of the pipes. Since the fill valve is usually the first thing tocall for water when water pressure is reestablished, all of the rust andsediment that has loosened due to the pressure changes in the pipesheads directly for the fill valve. This sediment and rust can lodgeitself within the fill valve, creating leaks and other problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.Also, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1-9 show various examples of rocker arm toilet fill valve lockingmechanisms according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 10-16 show various examples of toilet fill valve lockingmechanisms employing a push/pull lever according to various embodimentsof the present invention;

FIGS. 17-19 show various views of a slide locking mechanism in a toiletfill valve according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 20-21 show various views of a shuttle switch locking mechanism ina toilet fill valve according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 22-30 show various examples of side lever toilet fill valvelocking mechanisms according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 31-34 show various views of a push/pull cam locking mechanism in atoilet fill valve according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 35-37 show various views of a rotating cam locking mechanism in atoilet fill valve according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 38-43 show various examples of rotating cap toilet fill valvelocking mechanisms according to various embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 44-47 show various examples of rocker arm toilet fill valvelocking mechanisms according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a portion of a fill valve 90 according toan embodiment of the present invention. The fill valve 90 includes afloat 100 and an arm 103. When the water level reaches a specific heightin the toilet tank, the float 100 begins to rise, the arm 103 is liftedand the fill valve 90 is turned off. When the float 100 is not lifted bywater and the arm 103 falls, then the fill valve turns on. The fillvalve 90 includes a rocker switch 106 with an actuating pin 109. Therocker switch 106 is a two-position switch. In the first position, therocker switch pin 109 does not engage any portion of the arm 103.

However, in a second position as shown with respect to FIG. 1, the pin109 associated with the rocker switch 106 compresses or contacts a backportion of the arm 103. In this respect, the portion of the arm 103might actually be on the opposite side of a fulcrum presented by the arm103 itself. When the pin 109 engages the arm 103 in this way, it holdsthe arm 103 in the upward position. Also, the float is held in theuppermost position as the float 100 is connected to the arm 103.

In this respect, the float 100 and arm 103 make up a float/arm assemblyas can be appreciated. While a particular style of fill valve is shown,there are other styles where the arm 103 is connected to the float 100by a stem. In such styles, the float 100 may wrap around the fill valvebody or may be adjacent to it. Regardless of whether a stem connects thefloat 100 and the arm 103, or whether the float 100 and arm 103 areconnected directly to each other, both represent a float/arm assembly ofa fill valve as is described in many of the embodiments set forthherein. Thus, to the extent that a float 100 and arm 103 are discussedherein, the combination of the two—with or without a stem or othercomponents in other designs—comprise a float/arm assembly.

By pressing the rocker switch 106 in the position as shown in FIG. 1,the fill valve can be maintained in an off position even though waterdoes not push up on the float. Specifically, when the rocker switch 106is engaged and the pin 109 is pressed down onto a portion of the arm103, then the fill valve 90 is maintained in the closed position andwater does not fill the toilet tank within which the fill valve 90 isinstalled.

To open the fill valve 90 for normal operation, a user need only switchthe rocker switch 106 in a second position that relieves the pressure ofthe pin 109 against the arm 103. To hold the rocker switch 106 in thefirst and second positions, one or more protrusions 113 extends out ofthe rocker switch 106 and engages a lip of the cover 116 of the fillvalve. While the cover 116 shown actually covers both the top of thefill valve, as well as, the float and the entire assembly, it isunderstood that another fill valve the cover may only cover a topportion of the fill valve where the float 100 is exposed. The rockerswitch 106 may be used in a similar manner in such contexts. Thus, therocker switch 106 according to the embodiments described herein may beused on many different styles of fill valves as one with skill in theart can appreciate.

Turning to FIG. 2, shown is the rocker switch 106 as seen from a topview of the fill valve 90. The rocker switch 106 pivots about a centeraxis 119. In this respect, the rocker switch 106 may include a seat thatgrips a portion of the cover 116 extending across a gap or the rockerswitch 106 may be integral with the cover, where the movement of therocker switch 106 is accomplished by the bending of plastic.Alternatively, two pins extending from a cover 116 may engagecorresponding holes inside the rocker switch 106. In addition, there areseveral other configurations that may be employed to facilitate thepivot of the rocker switch 106 as shown.

Turning next to FIG. 3, shown is a fill valve 130 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. The fill valve 130 includes arocker switch 106 according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the rocker switch 106 includes pins 123 that extendfrom the sides of the rocker switch 106 and fit into seats 126 createdin the cover 116.

With reference next to FIG. 4, shown is a cut away view of the fillvalve 130 in which the rocker switch 106 is shown having a hookstructure 133 that grabs a portion of the arm 103. When the rockerswitch 106 is in a first position, the hook 133 engages the arm 103 andholds the float 100 and the arm 103 in a position such that the fillvalve 130 is in an off state.

When the rocker switch 106 is in a second position, the hook 133 doesnot interfere with the operation of the arm 103 and the float 100. Therocker switch 106 may be held in both positions by way of one or moreprotrusions 113 (FIG. 1) that engage a lip on the cover 116 thatoperates in a similar manner with the rocker switch 106 described withreference to FIG. 1.

Referring next to FIG. 5, shown is the rocker switch 106 as depicted inFIG. 4 that includes a protrusion 136 on the back end of the rockerswitch 106 that engages a lip of the cover 116 of the fill valve 130 inorder to hold the rocker switch 106 in a particular state and presentresistance between the switching of the two states, thereby allowing therocker switch 106 to hold the arm 103 in an off position when the rockerswitch 106 is in a first position and to ensure that the hook 133 doesnot interfere with the operation of the arm 103 when the rocker switch106 is in a second position. In addition, other protrusions may be usedwith the rocker switch 106 as described herein. With reference to FIG.6, shown is a top view of the toilet fill valve 130 in which the rockerswitch 106 is depicted with pins 123 extending from the sides thereof.The pins are shown as seated in the seats 126, thereby making sure thatthe rocker switch 106 properly pivots relative to the cover 116 foroperation.

Referring next to FIG. 7, shown is a fill valve 140 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. The fill valve 140 includes arocker switch 106 with a hook 143 that extends therefrom. Alternatively,the hook 143 may be a tee or other configuration. The hook engages aninner wall of the float 100 according to the present embodiment.Specifically, when the rocker switch 106 is in a first position, thehook 143 holds the float 100 in its uppermost position, thereby holdingthe fill valve 140 in a closed state. In this respect, the hook 143pulls the float 100 toward an outer portion of the cover 116 upon whichthe rocker switch 106 is mounted.

When the rocker switch 106 is in a second state, the hook 143 is pushedinto the float 100 and the float 100 may move freely with the hole ofthe float 100 sliding along the shaft of the hook 143 during normaloperation. It is understood that a chamber is created within the float100 to ensure that air does not escape through the hole thataccommodates the hook 143 when the water level pushes the float 100upward, thereby closing the fill valve 140. Alternatively, the rockerswitch 106 may be positioned in a different configuration where the hook143 engages the float 100 toward the bottom of the float, therebyeliminating the need to isolate the hole through which the hook 143extends. For example, the hook 143 may be positioned on the other end ofthe rocker switch 106 and may curve around the bottom of the side wallof the float 100 through the open bottom of the float 100.

Referring to FIG. 8, shown is the fill valve 140 in which the rockerswitch 106 is in a position that causes the float 100 to be held againstthe cover 116. This causes the arm 103 to lift and closes the fill valve140 until the rocker switch 106 is placed in the second position therebyreleasing the float 100.

Referring next to FIG. 9, shown is a side view of the fill valve 140according to an embodiment of the invention in which a pin joint 146that holds the rocker switch 106 to the cover 116 is illustrated. Inaddition, it is understood that the rocker switch 106 may be held insuch position using any type of pin joint or other types of joints ascan be appreciated.

With reference to FIG. 10, shown is a fill valve 150 with a lockmechanism that comprises a push/pull lever 153. The push/pull lever 153slides through an opening in the cover 116 of the fill valve 150. Thepush/pull lever includes a first protrusion 156 that impedes theprogress of the push/pull lever 153 through the cover 116, therebyproviding two different positions in which the push/pull lever may beplaced. The push/pull lever 153 also includes a second protrusion 159that prevents the push/pull lever 153 from being pushed into the covertoo far. At the end of the push/pull lever is a hook 157 that engages aportion of the arm 103. The hook may comprise a single hook such as aJ-structure or a T-structure where the push/pull lever extends throughan opening in the arm 103, for example. As shown with reference to FIG.10, the push/pull lever 153 is pressed into the cover 116 up against theprotrusion 159. Due to the fact that the push/pull lever is insertedinto the cover 116 to the maximum allowable, the hook portion 157 of thepush/pull lever 153 does not engage the arm 103 and the fill valve 153operates normally during various flush cycles of the toilet.

With reference to FIG. 11, shown is the fill valve 150 in which thepush/pull lever 153 has been pulled into a second position in which theprotrusion 156 is popped through a hole in the cover 116, and due to thefriction between the protrusion 156 and the hole, the push/pull lever153 is held in a second state or position. In this position, the hook157 engages the arm 103 and pulls it outward to its maximum position,thereby holding the fill valve 150 in a closed state. In this respect,the fill valve 150 will remain in a closed state until the push/pulllever 153 is pressed in and the hook 157 releases the arm 103 in thefloat 100 for normal operation.

With reference to FIG. 12, shown is one example of a top view of thefill valve 150 that shows the push/pull lever 153 extending through thecover 116. Referring next to FIGS. 13 and 14, shown is a fill valve 160in which a push/pull lever 163 is employed through a bottom portion ofthe cover 116. According to an embodiment of the present invention, apush/pull lever 163 includes a first protrusion 166 and a secondprotrusion 167. The first protrusion 166 facilitates a frictional fitwith regard to a hole in the cover 116 and allows the push/pull lever163 to be pulled in and out of the cover 116 and be placed in first andsecond positions with respect to the cover 116 and the float 100. Thesecond protrusion 167 prevents a push/pull lever 163 from being pulledout of the hole in the cover 116 when the push/pull lever 163 is in theposition depicted with respect to FIG. 14.

In the position of FIG. 13, an end 169 of the push/pull lever 163 ispressed up against an inner top wall of the float 100, thereby forcingthe float 100 in an upward position. This causes the arm 103 to belifted and consequently, the fill valve 160 is maintained in a closedposition. With respect to the embodiments as depicted in FIG. 14, thepush/pull lever 163 is pulled in a downward position such that theprotrusion 166 falls outside the cover 116. Consequently, the end 169 ofthe push/pull lever 163 does not engage the inner top wall of the float100 and the float 100 moves freely during normal operation of the fillvalve 160.

Referring next to FIGS. 15 and 16, shown is a fill valve 170 accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention. The fill valve 170includes a push/pull lever 171 that extends in a side of the cover 116and engages the float 100. The push/pull lever 171 includes a firstprotrusion 173, a second protrusion 175, and a third protrusion 177. Thefirst protrusion 173 prevents the push/pull lever 171 from being pushedtoo far into the cover 116. The second protrusion 175 defines a firstposition in which the fill valve is maintained in a normal operatingstate, where the push/pull lever 171 does not engage the float 100. Thethird protrusion 177 defines a state or position of the push/pull lever171 when the second protrusion 175 is forced outside of the cover 116.In this situation, a hook portion 179 of the push/pull lever engages aside of the float 100 and pulls the float into a position, whereby thearm 103 is lifted and the fill valve 170 is maintained in a closedstate.

Thus, as depicted in FIG. 15, the fill valve 170 is in a normaloperating state in which the float 100 moves freely. In FIG. 16, thefloat is in a second state in which the float 100 is maintained againstthe cover 116 due to the fact that the push/pull lever 171 is pulled outof the cover up to the third protrusion 177, thereby lifting the arm 103and maintaining the fill valve 170 in a closed state. In addition, thehole in the side of the float 100 would allow air to escape and therebyimpede the normal operation of the float 100. To prevent this, an innerwall is placed around the opening and the hook portion 179 that extendsinto the float 100 to isolate the hole through the side of the float.Alternatively, the push/pull lever 171 may be located such that the hook179 extends through a bottom portion of the float 100, thereby allowingan air pocket to be maintained within the float 100.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, shown is a fill valve 180with a slide mechanism 183 that is employed to lock the operation of thefill valve 180 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theslide mechanism 183 moves along a slot 185 and the cover 116 of the fillvalve 180. Protrusions 186 provide interference with the movement of theslide mechanism 183 and hold it into one or more positions along theslot 185. The slide mechanism 183 includes protrusions (not shown) thatextend inward toward the float 100 and engage a backside of the floatwhen the slide mechanism is positioned away from the stem portion of thefill valve 180. In this respect, the float 100 is forced in an upwardposition, thereby lifting the arm 103 in an upward position andmaintaining the fill valve in a closed state. Alternatively, if theslide mechanism 183 is maintained against an end of the slot 185 asshown in FIG. 17, then the float 100 is able to move freely tofacilitate normal operation of the fill valve 180.

With reference to FIG. 19 shown is a top view of the fill valve 180 inwhich the slide 183 is depicted on the side.

Turning then to FIGS. 20 and 21, shown is a fill valve 190 according toan embodiment of the present invention. The fill valve 190 includes ashuttle switch 193 that engages a back portion of the float 100. Theshuttle switch 193 includes a protrusion 196 that may be abutted againsteither side of a stop 199, thereby allowing the shuttle switch 193 to beplaced in a first and second position. In order to move the shuttleswitch 193 in the first and second positions, the shuttle switch 193 issimply lifted so that the protrusion 196 is above the stop 199 and theshuttle switch 193 may be moved in either direction along a longitudinalaxis of the shuttle switch 193. The shuttle switch is prevented frombeing pulled out of the fill valve 190 by virtue of an extension asshown.

When the shuttle switch 193 is placed in a first position as shown inFIG. 20, the float 100 is able to move freely to facilitate normaloperation of the fill valve 190. However, with respect to FIG. 21, ifthe shuttle switch 193 is placed in the second position in which theprotrusion 196 is on the inside of the stop 199, then the float 100 ispressed forward and in an upward position and the arm 103 is raisedcorrespondingly, thereby maintaining the fill valve 190 in a closedstate. While the shuttle switch 193 is shown as engaging the float 100,it is understood that the shuttle switch 193 may be positioned so as toengage the arm 103.

Referring next to FIGS. 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, shown is a fill valve200 according to another embodiment of the present invention thatemploys a side lever 203. As depicted in FIG. 22, the side lever 203 maybe placed in a first position that abuts a protrusion 206 extending fromthe cover 116 of the fill valve 200.

With reference to FIG. 23, the side lever 203 is located in a secondposition relative to the protrusion 206. In this respect, the protrusion206 impedes the progress of the side lever 203 from the first positionto a second position, thereby holding the side lever 203 in eitherposition.

With reference to FIG. 24, shown is a cut away view of the fill valve200 in which an axis of the side lever 203 extends into the cover 116. Ahook 209 extends from the axis of the side lever 203 and engages a backportion of the arm 103. When the side lever is in the first position,the hook 209 is located in the position depicted in FIG. 24 in which thearm 103 is able to move freely facilitating normal operation of the fillvalve 200.

With respect to FIG. 25, when the side lever 203 is in a second positionas depicted in FIG. 23, the hook 209 is rotated when the axis of theside lever 203 is rotated correspondingly and the hook 209 engages thearm 103, pushing the arm 103 outward and upward. As a consequence, thefill valve 200 is placed in a closed state as can be appreciated.

With reference to FIG. 26, shown is a full view of the side lever 203according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the sidelever includes protrusions 211 that allow the side lever to be seatedproperly in the cover 116 that holds it in place. Also, the hook 209 isshown extending from the axis of the side lever 203. While the sidelever 203 is depicted as engaging the arm 103 as shown in the aboveembodiments, it is understood that the side lever may also engage thefloat 100 or may engage the arm 103 at any position along the arm 103.In this respect, the cover 116 or other structure is provided tofacilitate the positioning of the side lever 203 as can be appreciated.

With reference to FIGS. 27, 28, 29, and 30, shown is a fill valve 220according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fill valve220 employs a side lever 223 in a similar manner with the embodimentdiscussed above with the side lever 203 to engage the float 100 as willbe described.

Specifically, in FIG. 27, the side lever 223 shown in the first positionin which the fill valve 220 is maintained in a normal operating state.In FIG. 28 the side lever 223 is shown in a second position in which thefill valve is maintained in a closed state. The side lever 223 may beheld in either position by a protrusion that extends from the cover aswas described above with respect to the side lever 223. Alternatively, aprotrusion may extend from the side lever 223 that engages a notch ordip in the cover of the fill valve 220.

With reference to FIG. 29, shown is an axis 226 extending from the sidelever 223. A finger 229 extends orthogonally from the axis 226. As shownin FIG. 29, the finger 229 is positioned in a manner corresponding tothe position of the side lever 223 as depicted in FIG. 27. In thissituation, the float 100 and the arm 103 are free to move during thenormal course of operation of the fill valve 220. With respect to FIG.29, the finger 229 engages a back wall of the float 100 and moves thefloat 100 forward and upward. This motion causes the correspondingupward motion of the arm 103 that closes the fill valve 220. In thisrespect, the position of the finger 229 corresponds with the position ofthe side lever 223 as depicted with respect to FIG. 28.

Referring next to FIGS. 31, 32, 33, and 34, shown is a fill valve 230according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fill valve230 employs a push/pull cam 233 in order to impede the movement of thearm 103 and the float 100 in order to place the fill valve 230 in aclosed state or in an operational state as will be described. Thepush/pull cam 233 comprises a rod 236 and a cam portion 239. When thepush/pull cam 233 is pulled out of the cover 116 to the extent possible,the cam portion 239 is moved away from the arm 103, and the arm 103 canmove freely throughout its entire range of motion, thereby allowing thefill valve 230 to operate in the normal manner.

With reference to FIG. 32, once the push/pull cam 233 is pressed intothe cover of the fill valve 230, then the cam portion 239 engages thearm 103, holding the arm 103 upward and maintaining the fill valve 230in a closed state.

With reference to FIG. 33, shown is a top view of the fill valve 230that depicts the push/pull cam 233 in the position corresponding to theview depicted in FIG. 31 in which the push/pull cam is not completelycompressed into the fill valve and the fill valve 230 operates in anormal manner.

With reference to FIG. 34, shown is the push/pull cam 233 in a secondposition in which the cam portion 239 of the push/pull cam 233 engagesthe arm as depicted in FIG. 32. In order to maintain the variouspositions of the push/pull cam, the various protrusions extend from theside of the push/pull cam 233 that engage portions of the cover of thefill valve 230. Such protrusions engage the holes inherent in the coverof the fill valve 230 and present resistance of the movement of the cam233, thereby biasing the cam 233 to predefined positions in which thecam portion 239 either engages or does not engage the arm 103 asdescribed.

Referring next to FIGS. 35, 36, and 37, shown is a fill valve 240according to another embodiment in the present invention. The fill valve240 employs a twisted cam 243 to engage the arm 103 to hold the fillvalve 240 in a closed state as will be described. With respect to FIG.35, shown is the cam 243 with the extended portion 246 that is notengaged with the arm 103. In FIG. 36, the cam 243 has been twisted suchthat the extended portion 246 engages the arm 103, thereby lifting thearm 103 and causing the fill valve 240 to be closed. With respect toFIG. 35, the fill valve 240 operates normally, given that the arm 103and the float 100 are free to move throughout their entire range ofmotion. With reference to FIG. 37, shown is a top view of the fill valve240 in which the cam 243 is shown with the handle that facilitates thetwisting thereof.

Referring next to FIGS. 38, 39, and 40, shown is a fill valve 250 andalternative caps 256 that are placed on top of the fill valve 250according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the fillvalve 250 includes a float 100 that is coupled to an arm 103 by way of astem. The top of the fill valve 250 is covered by a cap 256 that rotatesrelative to the body of the fill valve 250. In this respect, the cap 256includes a shelf 258 and a full opening 259. In the normal operatingstate, the cap 256 is rotated such that the arm 103 extends through thefull opening 259. When the cap 256 is in this position, the arm 103 canmove up and down freely through its entire range of motion, therebyfacilitating normal operation of the fill valve 250.

Alternatively, the cap 256 may be rotated so that the bottom of the arm103 is above the shelf 258, thereby preventing the arm 103 from falling.As a consequence, the fill valve 250 is maintained in a closed state.

The cap 256 is further depicted in FIG. 39 in which the full opening 259is depicted as well as the shelf 258 in a frontal view.

FIG. 40 shows an alternative cap 256 in which a ramp 263 is disposedbetween the full opening 259 and the shelf 258. The ramp 263advantageously facilitates the closing of the fill valve 250 by twistingthe cap 256 while the arm 103 has fallen during a flush cycle.Specifically, the ramp 263 lifts the arm 103 as the cap 256 is twistedrelative to the body of the fill valve 250. A protrusion 266 extends upfrom shelf 258, thereby holding the arm 103 on the shelf 258 to keep thefill valve 250 in a closed state. Alternatively, a portion of the cap250 may be rotatable as opposed to the entire cap to cause the shelf 258to be located under the arm 103.

FIGS. 41, 42, and 43 depict a two piece cap structure that may beemployed in place of the cap 256. As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, a ringstructure 303 is depicted that includes an upper external projectionthat forms a shelf 306 around the periphery of the ring structure 303.The ring structure 303 includes a gap 309 through which an arm 103 (FIG.38) extends. The gap 309 allows the arm 103 to move upward and downwardin a free manner during normal operation of the fill valve 250 (FIG.38). The ring-like structure 303 includes grips 313 that may be graspedby an individual when a cap is affixed thereto in order to rotate thering structure 303 relative to the fill valve. This allows one to aligneither the projection portion of the ring structure 303 or the gap 309with the arm 103 of the toilet fill valve 250. Depending upon whetherthe gap 309 is aligned with the arm 103, the arm 103 will be able tomove freely or the arm 103 may be locked in an upper positioncorresponding with a closed state of the fill valve 250.

With reference to FIG. 43, shown is a cap 323 that is compatible withthe ring-like structure 303 (FIGS. 41 and 42) as described above. Thecap 323 includes a circular recess 326 that is compatible with theprojection of the shelf 306 and allows the cap 323 to snap fit over thering-like structure 303. The fit between the cap 323 and the ringstructure 303 facilitates rotation of the ring structure 303 whenassembled onto a fill valve so that the ring structure 303 may beemployed to lock/unlock the operation of the fill valve by aligningeither the gap 309 or the shelf 306 with the arm.

With respect to FIG. 44, shown is a cap 353 that includes a rocker 356according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cap 353 alsoincludes an opening on the side 359 that facilitates the movement of thearm 103 during a flush cycle during the normal operation of the fillvalve 250. In this respect, the cap 353 provides another example of theoperation of a fill valve in the manner described with respect to FIG.1, except that the cap 353 is affixed to the top of the fill valve, asis depicted with respect to the fill valve 250 shown in FIG. 38. Therocker 356 may move from one to the other position as desired to causethe fill valve to close or open and remain in either an open or closedstate, as described above.

Also, FIGS. 45, 46, and 47 depict a cap structure that includes a rockerswitch that functions according to various embodiments described above.Specifically, FIG. 45 depicts an underside of the cap 353 according tovarious embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the rocker 356includes a contact surface 363 that comes into contact with variouscomponents of the fill valve to cause the fill valve to remain in anopen or closed state, as is appropriate. Also, side projections 366 areincluded on the rocker 356 that engage edges 369 of the cap adjacent tothe rocker 356 to hold the rocker in either an open or closed state, ascan be appreciated. The rocker twists about an axis formed by a moldedconnection between the cap structure and the rocker along an axis 373.In order to move the rocker 356 from a first position to a secondposition, the connection between the rocker and the cap is deformedslightly to provide for the movement of the rocker 356, as can beappreciated. According to one embodiment, the rocker 356 is molded aspart of the cap 353, thereby avoiding the need to assemble the rockerand cap together. Alternatively, the rocker 356 may be a separatecomponent with pegs or an axle, for example, that engages clips or otherstructures, etc. FIGS. 46 and 47 show further views of the cap 353 thatillustrate the various features described above according to variousembodiments of the invention.

It is understood that the various embodiments of the present inventiondiscussed herein may be shown with respect to a style valve in which thearm 103 is connected to the float 100. However, the principles anddesigns described herein may equally apply to other styles of fillvalves as can be appreciated. In addition, when discussing positions oflock mechanisms described herein in which a fill valve is maintained ina closed state, then the lock mechanisms may be said to be in a lockposition. Otherwise, the lock mechanisms are said to be in an unlockposition, thereby allowing normal operation of the respective fillvalve.

Although the invention is shown and described with respect to certainembodiments, it is obvious that equivalents and modifications will occurto others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of thespecification. The present invention includes all such equivalents andmodifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

At least the following is claimed:
 1. A lockable toilet fill valve,comprising: a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly, thetoilet fill valve configured to be closed in response to the float/armassembly being in a first position, and the toilet fill valve configuredto be open in response to the float/arm assembly being in a secondposition; and a shuttle switch configured to engage in an unlockposition and a lock position, the shuttle switch restricting thefloat/arm assembly when in the lock position and allowing movement ofthe float/arm assembly when the in the unlock position.
 2. The lockabletoilet fill valve of claim 1, wherein the shuttle switch changespositions by moving along a longitudinal axis of the shuttle switch. 3.The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1, wherein shuttle switchchanges positions by moving towards and away from the float/armassembly.
 4. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1, wherein theshuttle switch engages a back portion of the float/arm assembly to placethe float/arm assembly in the first or second positions.
 5. The lockabletoilet fill valve of claim 1, wherein the shuttle switch comprises aprotrusion configured to engage a stop of the toilet fill valve.
 6. Thelockable toilet fill valve of claim 5, wherein the protrusion engages aninside portion of the stop to maintain a closed state.
 7. The lockabletoilet fill valve of claim 5, wherein the protrusion abuts an outsideportion of the stop to maintain an open state.
 8. The lockable toiletfill valve of claim 1, wherein the shuttle switch is biased intopredefined positions.
 9. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1,wherein the shuttle switch causes the float/arm assembly to be pressedforward and in an upward position when the shuttle switch is in the lockposition.
 10. The lockable toilet fill valve of claim 1, wherein theshuttle switch comprises an extension that prevents the shuttle switchfrom being pulled out of the toilet fill valve.
 11. A method ofoperating a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly and ashuttle switch configured to engage in a lock position and an unlockposition, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the float/armassembly in a first position to close the toilet fill valve; moving theshuttle switch into the lock position, thereby restricting movement ofthe float/arm assembly in the first position; moving the shuttle switchinto the unlock position, thereby allowing movement of the float/armassembly; and positioning the float/arm assembly in the second positionto open the toilet fill valve.
 12. The method of operating the toiletfill valve of claim 11, wherein the step of moving the shuttle switchinto the lock position further comprises moving the shuttle switchtoward the float/arm assembly; and the step of moving the shuttle switchinto the unlock position further comprises moving the shuttle switchaway from the float/arm assembly.
 13. The method of operating the toiletfill valve of claim 11, wherein the step of moving the shuttle switchinto the lock position further comprises engaging a protrusion of theshuttle switch with an inside portion of a stop of the toilet fillvalve.
 14. The method of operating the toilet fill valve of claim 11,wherein the step of moving the shuttle switch into the unlock positionfurther comprises abutting a protrusion of the shuttle switch against anoutside portion of a stop of the toilet fill valve.
 15. The method ofoperating the toilet fill valve of claim 11, wherein the step of movingthe shuttle switch into the lock position further comprises engaging theshuttle switch with the float/arm assembly so that the float/armassembly is pressed forward and in an upward position.
 16. A systemcomprising: a toilet fill valve comprising a float/arm assembly, thetoilet fill valve configured to close in response to the float/armassembly moving to a first position and to open in response to thefloat/arm assembly moving to a second position; and a shuttle switchassociated with the float/arm assembly, wherein the shuttle switch isbiased into predefined positions and configured to restrict movement ofthe float/arm assembly when the shuttle switch is in a lock position.17. The system of claim 16, wherein the shuttle switch shifts betweenthe lock position and an unlock position by moving towards and away fromthe float/arm assembly.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the shuttleswitch is biased to the lock position.
 19. The system of claim 16,wherein the shuttle switch further comprises a protrusion configured toengage a stop of the toilet fill valve when in the lock position. 20.The system of claim 16, wherein the shuttle switch restricts themovement of the float/arm assembly by holding the float/arm assemblyforward and in an upward position.